HOW TO WATER HARDY

SEMPERVIVUM AND SEDUM MCG Staff

Sempervivum (Hens and

Chicks) and Sedum make

excellent choices for low-

maintenance, outdoor

containers and gardens

because they're frost

hardy, drought-tolerant,

and resilient growers.

However, there are a few

key points to understand

about their water needs if

you want to create a lush

succulent planting. Read

on to find out how to

water properly and spot

the signs of under- and

over-watering.

Cultivating hardy succulents is as much about allowing the soil to regularly dry out as it is

about watering. There will always be variation in water needs based on geography and

cultivar, but it is much easier to revive under-watered succulents than ones that have begun

to rot. Fortunately, hardy succulents are very forgiving plants if you remember these key

points:

• Plant in sandy, well-draining soil and use pots with drainage holes

• Wait until the soil is fully dry before watering

• Err on the side of deep, infrequent watering

• Check plants and soil regularly for signs of over- or under-watering and adjust accordingly

How much do I need to water?

It depends, but the name of the game is trying to match their native habitat. Hardy succulents

are alpine dwellers and will grow best if you can mimic the environmental conditions of the

mountains from which they came. Just as they receive regular rainfall when growing in the

wild, hardy succulents will need

about 0.5" to 1.0" of water

(including precipitation) once a

week to look their best in the

hottest, driest periods of their

summer growing season. It's

best to water in the early

morning or evening to limit

water loss to evaporation and

prevent beads of water from

magnifying the afternoon sun

and burning the leaves. This

also helps hardy succulents

tolerate high heat and sun

exposure (full guide on

Sempervivum and Sun).

Does it matter what they're planted in?

Yes, it matters a lot.

Sempervivum and Sedum

growing atop mountains live

with high winds and rocky soil

that dries out rapidly. And this

is just how they like it! Cycles of

drought give succulents a

chance to develop large,

healthy root systems as they

grow deeply in search of

water. A raised bed of gritty,

well-draining soil is ideal for

maintaining air pockets around

your succulents' roots. For

container plants, pots with

drainage holes and materials

like terracotta and hyper-tufa are will help your soil dry more quickly. Gardeners with the

best intentions who keep their soil continuously moist can end up with rotting leaves and

insufficient root development. Try a top dressing or mulch 3/16" grit gravel to keep leaves

drier. Succulents getting too much water in low-lying beds or heavy soil will show signs of

distress like mushy, translucent leaves. Once the roots have rotted it is difficult to revive

succulents, so avoid over-watering at all costs.

Is it possible to water too little?

Even after months of drought

mature Sempervivum

and Sedum can usually be

revived. If you see signs of

over-drying like crispy,

wrinkled, or flexible leaves,

gradually water more deeply

and frequently, giving your

succulents a couple of weeks to

respond. You can also water up

to twice a week to help young

plants establish roots and

encourage faster growth of

both creeping ground cover

and tall border species

of Sedum.

Do I need to water in winter?

Not as much. In most regions, mature hardy succulents planted in the ground can overwinter

without receiving extra water from you. Winter water needs will vary by climate, age of

succulents, soil, and where they are planted. Young hardy succulents with unestablished

roots or plants in containers, for example, may need a bit of moisture to make it through

winter.

After the summer growing

season, wild Sempervivum

and Sedum happily spend

the winter under a blanket

of snow. The dormant plants

no longer need as much

moisture to grow and the

snow protects them from

rotting in standing water.

For gardeners in regions

with cold, wet winters but

minimal snow, clear rain

covers over plants in the

ground are a good

alternative way to prevent

rot. Be sure to keep the

cover at least a foot above the plants to ensure they get airflow. This is especially important

for the webbed, tufted, and velvety varieties that tend to trap water on their leaves. For hardy

Sempervivum and Sedum in containers, move them to a covered area to limit exposure. For

more information, check out our full guide on How Winter Cold Affects Your Succulents.

KEEP IN MIND

There isn't one simple answer to the question of how often to water hardy Sempervivum and

Sedum. Have no fear though, because with the knowledge of how wild succulents grow and

an idea of what symptoms of improper watering looks like, you're now equipped to respond

to any watering issues!

For more information on hardy succulents and other plants with low-water needs, check out

Waterwise Plants for Sustainable Gardens by Laura Springer Ogden and Scott Ogden.